An interesting question that I haven't thought much about. I would tend to suggest that a stand alone regulator would NOT be permitted.

D.2.4 REMOTE CONTROL EQUIPMENT
(a) The following is permitted:
(1) One or more receivers.
(2) One rudder control unit.
(3) One sheet control unit.
(4) Battery cells assembled in one or more packs.
(5) Electric cables, connectors and switches.
(6) One device to indicate the battery voltage. In addition, items listed under (1) to (5) may have their own built-in battery voltage indication.

Most IOM's now use an RMG and the like & regulator is usually built into the winch operation .

Personally I would not use a LiPo in a boat.. Too costly if something goes wrong.

An interesting question that I haven't thought much about. I would tend to suggest that a stand alone regulator would NOT be permitted.
Most IOM's now use an RMG and the like & regulator is usually built into the winch operation .

Sorry if I didn't make it clear in my post, I was referring to the legality of stand alone voltage regulators.
I also us an RMG winch with a built in Regulator.

Doesn't number 6 say a voltage regulator is allowed ?
I use a lipo in my IOM with no voltage regulator fully charged it puts out over 8 volts, after aout 4 hours of sailing it is still putting out between 6 and 7 volts.

Doesn't number 6 say a voltage regulator is allowed ?
I use a lipo in my IOM with no voltage regulator fully charged it puts out over 8 volts, after aout 4 hours of sailing it is still putting out between 6 and 7 volts.

Number 6 says that a 'device to indicate the Battery Voltage' is allowed.
A battery voltage indicator is not a voltage regulator.

What about diodes in line with the pack? I usually just put two power diodes in my wiring and call it done. Cheaper and easier than a regulator.

Still not legal, 2.5 (4) only electric cables, connectors and switches allowed. You could argue on the definition of "cables" but if you solder diodes on them you will have a really hard time in convincing a RD that those a re still "cables".

The only way you cold get away with a voltage regulator, the way the rules are written now is if the regulator is build in the "sheet control unit" or the receiver.

The rule will be most likely emended soon to allow voltage regulators as it happen with the 2.4G receiver, the spectrum is composed of two units, and the way the rule was written before (receiver - singular so only one piece of equipment) had all those spectrum radios not IOM class legal.

Is it legal to use a Lipo and a 'voltage regulator' as an Battery in an IOM yacht.

The last few posts ^^^ seem to indicate this is a gray area (at best). However, you could circumvent the whole regulator issue entirely by using some of the new servos that are designed for a 2S 7.4V lipo...I have installed two in my micro magic to eliminate the weight of a regulator, as well as eliminating a potential failure point.

I know Hitec makes a bunch now and Futaba has a few of their own..not sure about the other big names, but they can't be far behind. Admittedly this option doesn't do you much good if you already have servos, but it could be a viable option for a new build or a restoration.

An interesting question about the legality of a battery regulator. Its similar to the question on twin receivers and battery indicators, before the question was raised they were technically illegal but everyone used them and most importantly they are not performance enhancing but ever so helpful so IOMICA rightly changed the rules to allow them as they probably would do with regulators.

I know for certain an awful lot of skippers use a capacitor plugged into the receiver, i used to use one myself when i used a digital servo.

Moved to a £2.99 servo from Ebay now and got rid of the capacitor. I also use £4.99 lipo 1300mah LIPO batteries (60g) that i picked up from Ebay. Charger cost £17 from Ken Binks.

It is all very easy when you have a completely dry boat, just dust after a whole days sailing in West Kirby waves.

Hi Graham,
I watched all the 'A' class racing on both days only managed to get up there once on the Sunday though but never fell out of 'B' fleet so I was happy for an event with such outstanding skippers. I must admit your Grey boat was a struggle for me to see at the far buoys but you have younger eyes than mine